In a post on social media on Thursday, NetBlocks noted that the apparent blackout follows “a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests across the country and hinders the public’s right to communicate at a critical moment”.Aljazeera reported.
Protesters have taken to the streets in cities across Iran since late December amid anger over the soaring cost of living and the devaluation of the local currency.
At least 21 people, including security forces, have been killed since the demonstrations began, according to a tally by the AFP news agency, citing local media and official statements.
Reporting from Tehran early on Friday, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said thousands of people took to the streets across the capital, starting at about 8pm local time (16:30 GMT) on Thursday.
“What we saw was many more neighbourhoods in the Iranian capital coming to the streets. Several streets were blocked while I was driving from downtown,” Asadi said, noting that confrontations took place between protesters and police.
“We heard chants … [and] slogans against the political establishment,” he added.
“We know that the economic squeeze has eroded public confidence and [fuelled] dissatisfaction, particularly when it comes to working and lower middle classes, who are now finding themselves struggling to meet their everyday needs,” he added.
The Iranian authorities have offered mixed messages in response to the unrest, with President Masoud Pezeshkian calling for “utmost restraint” in the handling of the demonstrations.
